What Are the Symptoms of a Metatarsal Stress Fracture?

Metatarsals are the long bones of the foot that run from the toes to the ankle. There are five metatarsals in each foot. A stress fracture is a break in a bone that is caused by a repetitive stress placed on it. Many athletes, especially runners, are prone to metatarsal stress fractures. Since most often individuals do not realize a fracture has occurred, recognizing the symptoms of the break is important.

Pain

• The first symptom of a metatarsal stress fracture is a slow, steady increase in pain. Pain will be located at the site of the stress fracture. The top of the foot is the most painful.

Intensity

• The pain increases with walking and running or with any other activity that bends the foot. Inactivity helps the pain.

Tenderness

• The top of the foot will be tender when touched along where the stress fracture has occurred.

Edema

• Oftentimes there will be a small amount of swelling to the foot, especially to the forefoot.

Warning

• The fracture will usually not present itself on an x-ray until several weeks after the fracture happens. The healing process tends to show itself later, and that is what is normally seen on an x-ray weeks later.